News - Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Woodwork lessons

Published: 23 July, 2008

Oak's long association with wine is a remarkably enduring one, based on the serendipitous discovery that the two complement each other rather well.

The bank that saved Lanson International from insolvency last year, Caisse d'Epargne, has signalled that it is willing to sell its 44% stake in the company - while speculation remains that the Mora family, which owns the rest of Lanson's capital, would also be prepared to sell.

Kilcline is latest MW

Published: 23 July, 2008

Percy Fox wine development manager Carmel Kilcline has become the latest woman to join the ranks of the Institute of Masters of Wine (IMW).

Italy confirms crisis distillation

Published: 23 July, 2008

In a recent ministerial meeting, the Italian government has requested EU permission and subsequent funding to distil 3-4 million hectolitres of table wine.

Seasonal adjustment

Published: 23 July, 2008

With the exception of sun-loving categories such as Champagne, Pimm's and lager, the drinks trade has traditionally waited until the run-up to Christmas before launching into a frenzy of marketing and promotional activity. Although, arguably, this pattern is less true for wine brands than spirits - with ros being, obviously, far more of a summer drink than Scotch or Bailey's - most brand owners still have concentrated on the crucial November/December bi-month for their big promotional pushes. A few brands and generics might have made an appearance on the County Show circuit or at the odd classical music concert, but major summer campaigns from wine's big players have been the exception rather than the rule.

The Interview: Julia Jenkins, Director, Flagship Wines, St Albans, Hertfordshire

Published: 23 July, 2008

What was the starting point for the business?

The tangentleman

Published: 23 July, 2008

It's always tempting to look at people's lives and think, what if? In the case of Joseph Berkmann, what if he had completed his schooling, gone to university, and become - what? The sort of Mercedes-driving Austrian plutocrat who roars up behind you on the motorway, headlights flashing? Probably not; but it's impossible to guess, because the event that changed the course of his life also changed Austria and the world: it was
the Anschluss.

WSTA marches on Rome

Published: 23 July, 2008

A UK wine trade delegation will travel to Italy later this year to try and convince regional representatives to back a generic Italian marketing campaign.

Massive fraud' at Champagne Esterlin

Published: 23 July, 2008

On 5 July, Pascal Chaux, the state prosecutor at the Tribune de Grand Instance at Chlons-en-Champagne, announced that three of the leading officials of Mancy co-operative Champagne Esterlin were under investigation for massive fraud'.

Massive fraud' at Champagne Esterlin

Published: 23 July, 2008

Blanck changes role at Mot

Published: 23 July, 2008

Georges Blanck (43), who joined Mot & Chandon in 1992 as a consultant oenologist and succeeded Dominique Foulon as chef de caves in 2001, will be moving on to pastures new as head of sustainable development for the large Champagne house.

Champagne Supplement 2005

Published: 23 July, 2008

What does the future hold for Champagne? Despite record shipments worldwide, many of the region's sharpest minds think that the high point of success has been reached, and that a downturn may be inevitable.

New PR for Hardys

Published: 23 July, 2008

Hill & Knowlton is the new PR and press office for the Hardys range. The PR team will handle consumer and trade press enquiries for the entire Hardys portfolio.

Malbec du Monde

Published: 23 July, 2008

A French co-op used Vinexpo to launch what it describes as the first international Malbec brand in the world' - Terreo, Malbec du Monde.

Argentina goes for growth

Published: 23 July, 2008

Argentina is looking to grab at least 6% of the total wine market by 2020, according to Roberto Luca, president of Wines of Argentina (WoA).

Allied carve-up nears completion

Published: 23 July, 2008

Pernod Ricard is on the verge of aquiring its bigger rival Allied Domecq after both sets of shareholders backed the 7.6 billion deal and regulatory approval was given by both the US and EU competition authorities.

Mumm sets high dining record

Published: 23 July, 2008

A former SAS soldier and an explorer who has scaled Mount Everest have helped break the world record for the highest formal dinner party.

O&G goes off-trade

Published: 23 July, 2008

Waverley TBS's successful on-trade range, Oliver & Greg's, is being launched into the off-trade.

Men of wine dominate WSTA's new executive board

Published: 23 July, 2008

Members of the wine trade dominate the list of appointees to what The Wine & Spirit Trade Association describes as the new, lean' executive board which was unveiled at the body's AGM earlier this week.

Prestige cuves for autumn release

Published: 23 July, 2008

1998 Dom Prignon

The latest Dom Prignon vintage, 1998, was offered to a group of UK journalists at Chteau Saran on 28 June by chef de caves Richard Geoffroy. This most metaphysical of winemakers used the opportunity to expound the philosophy behind both Dom Prignon and the recently disgorged mature vintages in the OEnothque range.